Dental Hygienist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $99,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Great Falls, MT earns a median $99,126/year (≈ $47.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $102,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 reaches $99,126. This figure aligns closely with the local economic landscape, where salaries range from $83,574 to $100,700. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a slight dip when compared to the national median of $102,946, indicating a 3.71% difference. As the demand for dental services continues to rise, this pay scale showcases how Great Falls is maintaining competitive compensation levels in light of national trends while considering the cost of living and local market conditions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,574 | $40.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,471 | $46.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,126 | $47.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,428 | $48.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,700 | $48.42 |
Median Salary Position
3.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,126 (2026 est.). At $99,126, the local median is 3.71% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Great Falls Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $99,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $103,042 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.71% less |
Dental Hygienists in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $99,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.71% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.80% below the Montana state average of $103,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.845 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $99,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.26% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$76,000
2025 BLS Actual
$94,460
2026 Current Est.
$99,126
2020–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Great Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,023 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.3% from $76,000 (2020) to $94,460 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,023 (36.87%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,574 – $96,471 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,471 – $99,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,126 – $100,428 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,428 – $100,700 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Great Falls
Employing approximately 90 dental hygienists, Great Falls presents a stable local job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 96.845, salaries in the area generally afford residents solid purchasing power despite the lower than average compensation compared to national standards. High-paying opportunities often arise from established Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Aspen or Pacific Dental, which may offer benefits and production bonuses that private practices typically lack. Variations in pay can also stem from factors such as work schedules and the presence of performance incentives. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Great Falls, pursuing positions within DSOs or negotiating schedules for fewer working days may prove advantageous. Additionally, having strong relationships with multi-doctor group practices could lead to better compensation packages, particularly for those who excel in patient retention and preventive care.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $94,460 for dental hygienistsin the Great Falls metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov